I met Sharon over a year ago when we both had auto maintenance appointments at Jim's Automotive. I purchased her breakfast in exchange for a free coaching session. Needless to say, she recommended I join IWOSC or the Alameda Writers Group. I did join IWOSC at the "Festival of Books" and lo and behold, I started to attend meetings. Every time I attended one meeting or another, I found Sharon. We instantly connected and a friendship blossomed. In the brief year I have known her, we became attached to the hip at all IWOSC meetings. I remember reading Tarot cards for her. The subject of her potential home purchase (Frasier Park) came up and I told her, "The only drawback to this purchase will be a long commute." As was my habit, I said, "Are you sure you want to live there because you will be on the road a lot and your little Honda will be visiting Jim--more often." She decided to buy the home. She loved it!

The last communication I had from her was on January 17th. She apologized for not being able to participate in my Tarot class at SMCC. She emailed me that she waited until the last minute; she was stressed and did not want to put her job in jeopardy. I told her, "Work comes first. I totally understand and I'm not upset." I believe she always worried about not being there for people she liked.

We shared a bit about our lives, and we discovered we were kindred spirits--we had so much in common. She joked about how we were attending all these meetings on writing when we should have been writing.

I know that her life was complete. She accomplished what she was put on this earth do to. She brought writers together and shared her passion for the written word! She had a home she loved, wonderful friends and associates who appreciated her, and she had many plans for the future. She was a gift. I can hear her voice as I write these words. She will always be with us.

--Davida Rappaport